Basketball Free Picks – Lakers vs Thunder

There might not be a more exciting series in these NBA Playoffs than the Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder.

But after the Thunder took Game 3 at home, should they be the favorite for your Saturday night basketball bets?

Los Angeles 2-1 Series Lead (1-2 ATS)

NBA Playoffs First Round:

No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers (57-25 SU, 33-46-3 ATS) at

No. 8 Oklahoma City Thunder (50-32 SU, 48-34 ATS)

Saturday, April 24: 9:30 p.m.TNT

NBA Betting Odds: Oklahoma City -1 ½, Total Points 193 ½

Here are some Basketball Betting Trends which may impact this game:

• Los Angeles: 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games
• Los Angeles: 4-2 SU in their last 6 games
• Oklahoma City: 3-3 ATS in their last 6 games
• Oklahoma City: 2-4 SU in their last 6 games

On Thursday night, everything that could go right did for Oklahoma City, as they stunned the Lakers on their home court, in a 101-96 victory. In the game, point guard Russell Westbrook emerged as the star of stars, as he scored 27 points, grabbed eight rebounds and added four assists in the victory.

Kevin Durant- the NBA’s leading scorer this year- added 29 points in the victory.

However as nice as the win was, it should hardly be of concern for Lakers fans. In the game, the Lakers still shot 45 percent from the field, and made 10 three pointers. All five starters scored in double-figures. In this particular game, Oklahoma City was just a bit better.

There is one tiny problem that the Lakers need to be concerned about going forward, and that’s the health of guard Kobe Bryant.

The Los Angeles superstar struggled with nagging injuries all season long, and Game 3 was the first time that his thumb injury appeared to affect his play. In the game, Bryant shot just 10 for 29 from the field, and 4 for 12 in the fourth quarter.

They’ll need a better effort from him Saturday.

Beyond Bryant’s injury though, the Lakers should still be your Game 3 basketball bet.

Again, as I mentioned earlier, the truth is, everything that had to go right for Oklahoma City in Game 3 did. They hit their open jumpers and out rebounded Los Angeles by a staggering 14 rebounds, all with the support of a rabid home crowd behind them.

With Los Angeles’ size down with Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, expect it to be the Lakers who re-establish the paint, and play better defense, two things that will fuel them to a road victory.

There’s a reason that the Lakers are the defending NBA Champions, and they’ll prove it Saturday. Make them your playoffs basketball bet.

Aaron’s NBA Free Pick: Los Angeles +1 ½